08/08/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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- Mr. Haugland said his company requires constant ventilation due to the poten- tially hazardous chemicals it uses. In addition, some of its scientific instrumentation is also subject to damage from power failures or line fluctu- ations. While the company has not experienced major problems in service from LEC, he said the cost of electricity is becoming a significant factor in its operations. Mr. Haugland said it is time to remove any barriers to develop- ment of Willow Creek, one of which may be the concern over the electrical supplier, and transfer service of the area to its logical supplier, EWES. A, Dean Owens, 2160 Oakmont Way, said he is speaking on behalf of the Eu- gene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership. He said the Metro Partnership's executive committee is taking a neutral stance on the issue of which utility should service the area. Mr. Owens asked the council to note perceptions, critical factors, public rates, current rates in the written testimony provided by the Metro Partner- ship. Of the 20 business prospects surveyed by the Metro Partnership that listed electricity rates as a critical factor, Mr. Owens said they all per- ceived EWES as the utility with lower rates and more reliable and readily available service. Richard Miller, 2460 Malasar Drive, said he is speaking as president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, He said the chamber1s executive committee has decided not to take a position on the issue. However, he said the cham- ber hopes the council chooses the organization that is best able to serve the area at the lowest rates, and provide the most reliable and available ser- e vice. Charles Fadeley, 350 Farm Building, said he is representing LEC at the hear- ing. He said LEC has requested that the council hold a special session to discuss this issue because of its complexity and importance. He said LEe was not invited to attend tonight's work session. Mr. Fadeley said LEC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that is a preference customer of the Bonneville Power Administration (SPA). LEC has a 50-year service history of supplying low-cost power. Its rates are among the lowest in Oregon as well as the country. He said LEC started serving the Willow Creek area over 40 years ago when EWES would not. Mr, Fadeley pointed out that the first of staff1s findings state the metro policies make EWES the legal provider of the area within the Urban Growth Boundary, He said Oregon land use law precludes differentiation between service providers. The R.W. Beck study says it will cost an additional $1.4 million if EWEB does not serve the area because EWEB will have to run lines diagonally through Willow Creek to connect substations. He said it does not make sense from an engineering standpoin~ that distribution lines should bisect the Willow Creek area. It would make more sense for the lines to follow the existing roads, which would lead around the Willow Creek area in any event. . MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1988 Page 4